Oil tank for airplane engines



Dec. 5,

1944.` P. A. ANDERSON OIL TANK FOR AIRPLANE ENGINES Filed Feb. 26.` 1943 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Dec. 5, 1944. P. A. ANDERSON 2,364,119

` OIL TANI FOR AIRPLANE ENGINES Filed Feb. 26,` `1945 2 sheds-sheet `2:

" il H l' ll A Patented Dec. 1944 UNITED-STAT Paul aiimicnion,` Monrovia, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Consolidated Vuitee Aira" craft Corporation, a comratlon of Delaware sppiioaiionroiiniery 23,1943, seriaino. 417,325

.t t n :ion-limi; (otras- 2.5i The `present inventionrelates generallyito oil tanks.` More particularly the` invention relates `position.` il Aifurther obiectof the invention is to' provider` to that tyipe of tankwhich is designed for use in connection with, and to form` a part of; an oil l circulating system for `the propelleridriving in` ternal combustion engineof an airplane, serves as `a retainingand` supply medium for `agbody of oil, and embodies in addition to a return-piped leading to it from the engine and a supply pipe leading from it to theengine, means for establishing communication between the inletend of the supplypipe and the bottom portion of the wardly extending nomic whichis in communica. tion with, and is,` adapted to receive `oil underi i pressure fromthe discharge end `ofthe-return i pipe and `servesto jet the oilupwards inla fan-` y body of oil` in the tank,regardless of fthe ilight attitude of the airplane to the end` that at all times there will be `an `uninterrupted iiow of oil tothe enginezand engine failure or-damage due to cessation of oil circulation willthus be olbviated. it A Oneobject of the invention is Vto provide an p airplanefengine oil tank which is an improvement` upon, and hascertain advantages over, i i

previously devised tanks forythe samepurpose and istcharacterized by a novel arrangement of parts and exceptionally high efficiency :of operation. t `v` t Another object of the invention is to provide an oil tank ofthe aforementioned type embody+ i ing inthe central `part thereofra transversely` f extending hopper which has the discharge end i of the return pipe and the inletend of the sup` ply pipe communicating therewith, is provided with holes therein for permitting oil to iiow into it from the body of oil in the tank, and serves as a quickwarm-up chamber for the 'oilthat is' the system with which the in circulation within tank isassociated. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an* airizflane` engine r oil `tank ofthe type and character rlast mentioned in which themeans for establishing communication between the inlet p end of the supply pipe andthe bottom portion f of the bodyloffoil is disposed or located inItheE` hopper and isinthe formof a rotatable unit which is positioned in coaxial `relation with the" dischargeend ofthe return pipe and the inlet i endof the supply pipe, hasla downwardly extendt ing" duct with the lower end open and `in coin- 1 munication with the hopper and its`up` Der end open and `conrixnuriieatingr with theinlet l end of the supply pipe,` and is `weighted orbalanced so thatwhen the airplane tilts downwards in connection with a dive ornlpwards inconnection with climbinguit `rotates` relatively tothe hopper and otherparts of the tankiand thus `maintains theduc in a substantiallyi` vertical an oil tank of thelast mentioned character in` which the rotatableunit constituting the means i for estcblismng communication between the miei end of the supply pipe and; the bottom portion t ofthe body of oil in the `tank: includes anni like stream, thus assisting in separation iromthe` i oil oi any air which istrapped, therein. 4 i i `Astill further object of the invention islto provide an airplane engine oil tank which is genr evrallyV of new and improved construction andis r i so designed that itsvarious component parts may i `be assembled and `dismantled with facility.`

airplane engineoil tanktwill be apparent from tion. l n i t r t i i in The invention consists in the several novel fea` aconsideration of the following detaileddescrip-` t more particularlyjdened by clusion hereof. n n

t Inthe drawings which a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding `parts throughout the several views:` t

Figure 1 is afplan view of arriairplaneenglnei` oil tank embodying the invention, certain i being broken away andiother parts being shown t i in section in order to showor illustrate the man", ner in which the hopper is mounted inthetank;

Figure 2 is a side view ofthe tank; i

Figure `il is a vertical transverse section on th i line 3-3 of Figure 2; i n

which embodies the downwardly extending duct for supplying'oil from the hopper `bottom tothe` n inlet end of the supply pipeand the upwardly i extending nozzle which is incomm'unication with, and is adapted to receive oil under pressure t from, thedischarge end of the return pipe and serves to jetthe oil upwardslina fan-like streamo p toward the upper portion of the hopper: and

Figure 5 is a verticalttransverse sectiontakenj, on the line A5'-5 of `Figure 4 and illustratinglthe n mannen inwhich the rotatable unitiis weightedo t other obieoisof the invention and the various advantagesiand characteristics of the present i tures which are hereinafter set forth and are t claims at thecom `accoinpanyand form.

Figure 4 is an enlargedlongitudinal section of `the central portionof the tank, illustrating thez construction oi the hopper and showing in detail y thedesign and arrangement of the rotatable unit so that when the airplane tilts downwards or upwards in connection with a night maneuver it rotates relatively to the hopper and other parts of the tank and thus maintains the duct in a substantially vertical position.

The tank which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of theinvention. It is designedy for use in connection with, and to form a part of, an oil circulating system for an airplane engine (not shown). It is f contemplated that the tank will be mounted transversely of the line of ilightY or longitudinal axis of the airplane with which it is associated. As its parts the tank comprises a substantially cylindrical shell 8, a return pipe 1, a supply pipe 8, a hopper 9 and a rotatable unit II.

The shell 9 is adapted to hold or retain a body of cil therein and is of sectional design. It consists of a pair of complemental, opposed, cup

shaped sections Il and I2 and ispreferablypro` vided with a liner I9 of eo-calledv self-healing material in order to prevent oil leakage in the event'that the tank is penetrated `or punctured by a bullet or other projectile. "I'he sections Il and I2 of the'shell are-formed of sheet metal or any other suitable material and comprise continuous side walls Il and outer end walls I5.

'Ihe inner ends of the side walls I4 embody 4outwardly extending annular anges lII and are secured-together by way of clamp bolts I1 which extend through the flanges. 'I'he lower inner portions Vof the side walls Il of the two shell sec-v tions are downwardly deformed Ito form a sump I8 at the lower central portion ofthe shell 6.

The end walls i of the sections Il and I2extend across, and serve to close, the outer ends of the side walls I4. Continuous bands I9 of channel shaped cross section extend around the outer ends of the `side walls I4 of the two sections II and I2 andserve to reenforce the shell. The upper portion of the end wall'of the sectionl2 is lprovided with a circular opening 29 and this is normally closed by way'of a plate 2| having a filler neck. 22 on the central portionl thereof. Bolts 23 extend through the marginalV portion of the plate 2l and the opening defining portion of the end wall of the shell section l2 and serve removably to hold the plate in its operative position. The filler neck 22 serves as a medium for introducing oil into the tank and has a removable closure cap!! at its outer end. The up-A per portion of the end wall of the'shell section Y Il is provided with an access opening 25 and this isl normally closed by way of a plate `28 l which is removably secured in place'by way of` bolts 21 which extend through the margin of the plate and the opening defining portion of the end wall of the section H. A drain pipe 28 is connected to, and leads from, the sump I8 land permits the tank to be drained when desired. This drain pipe communicates with the return pipe 1 and consists of a'straight pipe section land an elbow 86. The straight pipe section 95 extends through a hole 81 in the front portion of the sidewall of the shell section i2 land has suitable sealing means associated therewith in order to prevent leakage of cil through the hole'l'l. The outer end of the pipe section 89 is connected by suitable piping or tubing (not shown) to the inlet side of a pump (also not shown) for forcing oil under pressure through the engine. 'Ihe inner end ofthe pipe section 85 of the supply pipe 8 is connected `by way of a hose type coupling 89 to one branch"` of theelbow 9S. The other branch of the elbow extends inwards and is axially aligned with the inwardly extending branch of the elbow 92 of the return. pipe 1. i

.The hopper 9 serves, as hereinafter described, as a quick warmup chamber for the oil that'is `in circulation in the system kand Vis disposed in the central portion of the tank shell- 9.v It extends transversely of thevshelLvand consists of apair of circular, spaced apart plates 39. VThese plates interior of the'sul'np and isprovided with a screw y plug 29 for closing it. The upper portion'of the shell 9 is vented by way of a vent pipe 80 which isseoured to the upper inner portion of the side wall of the section i2.

The return pipe I leads from the engine ofthe airplane with which the tankv is associated and is adapted to receive oil under pressure from the engine. It normally extends horizontally, and consists of a T 8| and an elbow 32. endbranches of the T are disposed exterlorly of the shell and are connected to the airplane engineby piping or tubing (not shown). v'I'he intermediate branch of the 'r 3l extends through The' are outwardly bulged or dishedand embody flat. parallel annular flanges 40 on theouter Vmarginal portions thereof. They aredlsposed between the inwardly extending branches of the elbows 92v and 86 and have oil inlet holes 4I in the lower portions thereof andvent holes 2in their up. per portions. The anges 49 and the outer mar-v ginal portions ofthe plates 89 are separated `by a ringshaped gasket 48. 'I'hey fit between the outwardly extending flanges I6 at the inner ends of the side walls i4 of the shell sections il and l2 and have aligned pairs of holes Il therein. The clamp bolts i1 `extend through these holes and serve releasably `to hold the flanges 49 and i8 and the gasket 49`inclamped relation.v When the bolts I1 are removed the sections Il and l2 of the shell 8 may-be separatedin order to provide accessto `the hopper 9. 'I'he holes 4I in' the lower portions of the hopper 9 permit .oil to flow into the hopper interior from theinterior 1 of the shell 9. The vent holes I2 in the upper,

portions of the plates 99 serve to vent the hopper 9.

The unit I0 tablishing communicationfbetween theinlet end of the supply pipe 8 and .the bottoni portion' of the hopper, regardless of the position which the airplane may assume in connection with dive or climb. 'It 'is preferably in the form ofa one# piece metal `casting and is mounted for rotation about a .tubular element 48.. This element is also preferably in the form of' a casting and is disposed in parallel relation with the longitudinal endslof the tubular element-ll extend through" circular holes 49 in the central portions of the is disposed or located in the hopper 9 and serves' as a means or` medium for es-` the hopper 6 by way of a pair of nuts 50. `These nuts are disposed outwards of the hopper plates 66 and yare mounted on external screw threads a Il on the ends of the element 45. Gaskets 62 are interposed between the nuts and the hole defining portions of the hopper plates `36 and serve to prevent oil from leaking through the holes 46. The end of the element 45 that embodies the passage 41, that is, the end that projects into the interior of the shell section Il, is connected to the inwardly extending branch of thel elbow 62 of the return pipe 1 by way of a hose typecoupling 66. The other end of the elenient 46, that is, the end with the passage 46, is

vent holes in the other hopper plate, that is, the hopperplate that faces the shell section l2, and prevents .the jetted oil from flowing through such holes Ias it passes downwards thereby. The wall 62 of the unit I6 surrounds `that portion of the tubular element 46 thathasfthe inner end of the passage 46 and defines a ring shaped chamber 66. `This chamber communicates with the inner end of the passage 46 by way of an annular series of radiallyextending slots 10 in the element 46. The inner portions of the annular, outwardly bulged walls 6I and 62 of the unit I0 surround the cross `wall 46 of the element 46 and thus serve to separateor `maintain independent connected to the inwardly extending branch of t the elbow 66 by way of `a hose type coupling I4. The element 46 is held in fixed `relation with the hopper 6 by the nuts 60 .andy the couplings the chambers 66 and 66. The arm 64` is connected to, and projects downwards from, the lower portion of the wall 62. Itis of tubular design and has a duct 1I extending longitudinally therethrough. The lower end ofthe `arm 64 is open and terminates adjacent the bottom portion of the hopper 6. The upper'portion of the` duct 1I communicates with the lower portionlof the ring shaped chamber 66. When the oil cirnalled for rotation relatively thereto by way of t a pair of ball bearings. These bearings are located directlyinwards ofthe portions of the hopper plates 36 that deiinethe central holes 46 and consist of inner races 56, `outer races 61 and balls 66 betweenV the innerandouter races. The inner racesl 66` surround the end portions of the element 45 and abut against outwardly facing shoulders 66 on the element. The nuts 66 serve to clamp the inner races of the ball bearings 66 against theshoulders. The outer races 61 of the ball bearings 55 fit within annular ly secured to the lower end of the arm 64 and lserve to maintain the downwardly extending pogrooves in the ends of the unit I0. This unit comprises a .pair of side by side` annular, out-` wardly bulged walls 6| and 62, an upwardly ex-` tending fan shaped nozzle 63 and a downwardly extending arm 64. The wall 6| surrounds that portion of the tubular element 45 that has the inner end of the passage `41 and defines arlngshaped chamber 65. The latter communicates When the oil` circulating system with which the-tank is associated is in operation oil under pressure flows through the return pipe 1 and is discharged into thepassage 41. From the passage 41 the oil iiows outwards through the slots 66 into the chamber 66 and then passes upwards through the nozzle 63.1 The latter serves to jet the oil towards the upper portion of the hopper 6 and causes the oil to assume a thin fan shaped stream in order to assist in separation or elimination oi any air that is trappedtherein. As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle 66 is tilted in the direction of the hopper plate that faces the shell section Il. As a result of the inclination or angularity of the 4nozzle 66 the oil which is jetted from the nozzle in the form -ot a tan shaped stream iiows upwards towards the upper portion ofl said hopper plate and then flows downwards along the upper portion of the other Baiiles ply pipe 6 back to the `suction side of the oil pump. Weights 12 are bolted or otherwise fixed-` sition of the arm, regardless of any downward or upward tilting of the airplane in connection with dive or climb thereof. When the airplane is tilted downwards in connection with a dive` maneuver the weights 12 cause the unitl to rotate relatively to the hopper and thus maintain the arm 64 so that the lower or inlet end thereof is adjacent the bottom portion of the hopper. When the airplane istilted upwards in `connection with a climb maneuver the weights cause the unit `to rotate reversely relatively to the hopper with the result that the duct 10 is Vmaintained substantially vertical and the inlet end thereof is in communication with the bottom portion of the hopper.` 'Preferably there are two weights 12 and theseare disposed on opposite sides of the lower end of the `arm 64. In the event that the airplane is' tilted sidewise, that is, rolled about its longitudinal vaxis inaconnection with a flight maneuver, there is no interruption in the drawing of oil through the supply pipe 6 because of trapping of oil in the sump I6 adjacent the lower. portion of the hopper. The inlet holes 4I in the lower portions. of thehopper plates 36 permit oil to fiow into the lower portion of the hopper from the sump.

The operation of the tank is as follows: When the pump furthe circulating system with which the tank is associated is in operation oil is supplied to the engine from the hopper 6 via the supply pipe 6 and is returned under pressure to the hopper by way of the return pipe 1. As heretofore pointed. out, the oil under pressure returning to the hopper via the return pipe flows t into the passage 41 after traversing the return pipe 1, then fiows outwards through the annular series of radially extending slots 66 into the `ring shaped chamber 6| and then iiows upwards throughthe nozzle 63 and is jetted in the form of a fan shaped stream to the upper portion of the hopper.` From the upper portion of the hopper the oil drops downwards into the lower portion of .the hopper. During up and down ow of the oil in the upper portion of the hopper any air which is trapped in the oil is released. From the lower portion of the hopper, the oil is drawn upwards through the duct 1| and then flows into the passage 48 via. the slot 10 and the ring shaped chamber 68. From the passage 48 the oil is drawn through the supply pipe 8 and then passes to the pump of the circulating system. The hopper, although it is in communication with the interior of the shell 6 serves to isolate the oil in it from the body of the loil in the shell and since it is of limited capacity or sizeit forms a quick warm-up chamber for the oil when the engine with which the tank isemployed isstarted during cold weather. In other words the oil which is returned to the tank via the returnpipe, instead of mixing with the body of oil in the shell, flows through the small sized hopper and thence back to the engine and in this way is quickly warmed in connection with starting of the engine. The oil in the hopper is maintained at the same level as the oil in the shell because of the at its other end, and a crosswall between the two passages, a return pipe extending into the shell land having the discharge end thereof connected to said one end of the element and in communication with the inlet passage, a supply pipe leading from the shell and having the inlet end thereof connected to said other end of the element and in communication with the outlet passage, and a unit mounted to rotate about the element, emlbodying an upstanding nozzle in communication with the inlet passage, and a depending arm having a longitudinal passage therein with the lower end thereof in communication with the bottom portion of the shell interior and its upper end in communication with the outlet passage, and so weighted that it is caused to assume its normal position in the event that the shell'is tilted or angularly displaced relatively to the axis of rotation of the unit.`

2. A tank designed for use in connection with a liquid circulating system and comprising a shell I adapted .to hold a body of the liquid, an upstandinlet holes 4| in the lower portion of the hopper sides 39. When the airplane tilts downwards or upwards in connection with a flight maneuver the unit I0, because it is weighted or balanced and also rotatable relatively to the hopper, remains in a position wherein the arm 64 is substantially vertical and hence there is an uninterrupted flowl of oil from the bottom portion of the hopper .through the duct 1I in the arm and the supply pipe 8. The tank is filled or loaded by delivering oil into it via the filler neck 22. If it is desired to drain the tank .the plug 29 is removed so as to open the drain pipe 28. In the event that it is desired to inspect, repair or replace the hopper 9 and the rotatable unit I0 it is only necessary to remove the clamp bolts Hand separate the shell sections I I and I2.

The herein described tank effectively and efiiciently fulfills its purpose and involves a novel and improved arrangement of parts. By reason of the fact that the rotatable element I0 includes the downwardly extending duct equipped arm B4 there is always an uninterrupted iiow of oil through the supply pipe 8, regardless of the de- 'gree of downward or upward tilt of the airplane. By providing the rotatable vunit lll with the upwardly extending nozzle B3 the oil, prior to being drawn 4through the duct 1I and the supply pipe 8, is so jetted or sheeted out that any air bubbles that are entrained therein arepermittedv effectively to separate from the oil. By locating the unit I0 in the hopper 9 the hopper serves as a quick warm-up chamber for the oil.

Whereas the tank has been described as forming a part of an oil circulating system for the engine of an airplane it is to be understood that it has many other capabilities of use and may be employed as a retaining and supply medium for a liquid other .than oil. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set, forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the .invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tank designed for use in connection with a liquid circulating system and comprising a shell adapted tor hold a body of the liquid, an elongated element disposed in a horizontal position within the central portion of the shell and having an inlet passage at one end thereof, an outlet passage 76 ing hopper disposed in the shell and having means for permitting liquid to flow into it from said shell, an elongated horizontally extending element extending through, and xedly secured to, the central portion of the hopper and having an inlet passage in one end thereof, an outlet passage in its other end, and a crosswall between the two passages, a return pipe extending into the shell and having .the discharge end thereof connected to said one end of the element and in communication with the inletI passage, a, supply pipe leading from the shell and having the inlet end thereof connected to said other end of the element and in communication with the outlet passage, and a unit; mounted in the hopper so that it is rotatable about the element, embodying an upstanding nozzle incommunication with the inlet passage, and a depending duct with the lower end thereof in communication with the lower portion of the hopper interior and its upper end in communication with the outlet passage, and so weighted that it assumes its normal position when the shell and hopper are tilted or angularly displaced about the axis of rotation of the unit.

3. A tank designed for use in connection with a liquid circulating system and comprising a horizontally elongated shell adapted to hold a ybody of the liquid and consisting of a pair of complemental opposed cup -shaped sections having the free margins of the side walls thereof disposed adjacent one another and provided with continuous out-turned flanges, a hopper disposed within, and extending transversely across, the central portion of the shell, consisting of a pair of opposed outwardly bulged plates with continuous marginal flanges arranged in interposed relation with the out-turned flanges of the shell sections, and having holes in the lower portions of its plates for permitting liquid to flow into itfrom the shell, releasahle means for holding the varthereof connected to said one end of the elementY and in communication with the inlet passage, a supply pipe leading through the other shell section and having the inlet end thereof connected 1` to said other end of the element and communieating with the outlet passage, and a unit mounted in the hopper so that it is rotatable about the element. embodying an upstanding nozzle in communication with the inlet passage, and a. depending duct with the lower end thereof in communication withthe lower portion of the hopper in i the axis of rotation of the unit. i

PAUL A.` ANDERSON. 

